Thai telecoms regulator NBTC has revealed plans to hold a 2600-MHz spectrum auction in the second half of 2019 as part of efforts to facilitate the launch of 5G by 2020.
The regulator has appointed a subcommittee to work on recalling unused spectrum for its reallocation for 5G, the Bangkok Postreported.
The first priority will be to recall some spectrum in the 2600-MHz range for next year's auction. The spectrum is currently held by state-owned public broadcaster MCOT under a concession agreement that ends in 2022.
A second subcommittee will be set up to negotiate compensation for returning the spectrum, the report states.
NBTC already plans to hold an auction of 45MHz of 700-MHz spectrum freed up from digital and analog TV broadcasting in the third quarter. Thailand plans to switch off analog TV broadcasting in 2020.
The NBTC also plans to recall spectrum in the 470-MHz, 1500-MHz, 3400-3800MHz and 26-28GHz bands as part of the spectrum reallocation process. These frequencies are currently held by companies including state-owned operator TOT, satellite operator Thaicom and Chevron Thailand.